Infiltration: Chapter Five Scene Two

 

 This week, Yuder receives an offer that's hard to refuse. Temptation is goading him in a direction that could end with him in prison again.

** * *

Kalquor

Yuderleft Tara’s ashram on a warm, sunny afternoon. He stood beyond the rockyoutcropping serving as its exterior and waited for his eyes to adjust as waveswhispered hello to the pink sand shore.

Asidefrom a few distant figures walking the beach, he had the strand of coastlineoverlooking the infinite green sea to himself. Royal Guards had been informedhe was leaving and were stationed along his route, though their presence wasfar enough away to give him privacy.

Hebreathed deep the familiar salt tang but found no solace in it. He’d spent aslong as he could manage in meditation in the quiet of the ashram. Tara taughtusing contemplation for escape from life’s troubles was incompatible with truepeace, and she was probably right, but escape was all he ached for. He couldsit in introspection for a couple hours, but the natural Nobek inclination foraction allowed for no more.

Aftera week home, he faced the truth he’d feared but suspected…he was useless. ToTara, to himself, to the empire. There was no place for him.

He’dbeen born in an era of struggle, raised for the throne when trouble was at itsheight. Kalquor had cycled between wars against Trag and Bi’is. Extinction hadthreatened their world. His work as part of Kalquor’s Global Security beforetaking on his duties as the empire’s monarch had meant encountering determinedcriminals and fighting glorious battles to enforce the planet’s laws. Then, as thewarrior-protector of the Imperial Clan, he’d been tasked the security of theempire in an increasingly hostile galaxy.

Onceupon a time, Nobek Yuder had stood between his people’s annihilation andsafety. Once upon a time, he had mattered.

Now,Kalquor was at peace. Bi’is’ threat had been destroyed, as had the domesticrevolt led by the treasonous Dramok Maf. Despite a few dissidents, Earth II wasan ally, its populace healed and invigorated on their new planet. They had alsoimmigrated to Kalquor, blending their undamaged genes with the nativepopulation and salvaging its culture. In a couple of centuries, Kalquorianswould be exclusively of mixed ancestry, a new species altogether. Though Yuderhad reluctantly broken the Galactic Council’s laws to make that happen, he feltguilty pride in having helped assure his empire’s future.

He'dfound ironic comfort in serving a prison sentence for his part in bringingEarthers, some unwillingly, to Kalquor a decade before. His incarceration hadbrought justice to those abducted. Service to others had been Yuder’s mandatethroughout his life. The notion had gotten him through the quiet isolationfilling his hours in the Galactic Council’s penal colony.

Nowhe was home, but he had no one to serve. Even Tara needed little of hispresence, though her preference for it was a gift he refused to take forgranted. She was self-sufficient, however. She had unending projects, between leadingher followers and managing Dramok Mereta’s compound while he served assecretary-general of the Galactic Council of Planets. She was hard pressedthese days to spend the time she wished to with her grandchildren, especiallythe eldest, Wayne, who lived at Nobek training camp.

Tarahad her own way of doing things, which Yuder could appreciate. It meant hisoffers of assistance were often gently, lovingly declined. Not because hecouldn’t learn her procedures, but because she simply couldn’t spare an hour toteach him how she wanted tasks done.

Hedidn’t really prefer to help run spiritual centers, if he were honest about it,but he was banned from the responsibilities he was most suited for. It was outof the question for him to stick his nose in Imperial business. The life he’donce lived and breathed, running an empire, was off limits.

WhenYuder and his clanmates Zarl and Tidro had conceded the throne to Clan Clajak,he’d been consulted for advice on the problems the empire faced. Now, hecouldn’t even ask his son for his opinion of any legislation currently beingpublicly debated in the Royal Council.

Therewas nothing for Yuder, and he was quickly becoming certain he was nothinghimself. Old and out of his element in this well-earned peaceful phase of theKalquorian Empire, he was adrift. He had no direction to go.

Whyam I still here?

Thethought startled him, and he realized he’d been staring at the sea. He had noidea how long he’d done so. Abruptly grouchy at his morose turn of mood, heturned on his bare heel and set off for the cliff housing the Royal Home.

Hewas aware of the pair of red-armored Royal Guards silently following him. Howridiculous did he appear to his protective escorts, this relic of a Nobek inhis loose white trousers and thigh-length tunic? Once he’d have been in armorof his own, black with red trim, as tough as those assigned to protect him. Hewas tempted to look at his fellow Nobeks, to see if disdain filled their fiercefaces. But no, Royal Guards wore no expressions while on duty but that ofdeadly threat. Whatever scorn they might feel for their charge would be hidden.

Afigure several yards away in the direction he headed waved. Yuder squinted asone of his guards quickened his pace to precede him. After a moment, herecognized the Dramok hurrying forward.

“It’sCouncilman Oiteil. He’s an old associate,” Yuder called to the guard.

“Councilman?”The guard eyed Yuder. His expression was impassive.

“Afriend.” Untrue. Oiteil was no more than an acquaintance, but Yuder was eagerto speak to him.

Hehad no idea if the Royal Guards had been warned by Clajak to keep politicalfigures from him. Discussing empire business with a sitting councilman would bein breach of Yuder’s parole. Apparently his son hadn’t issued such orders,because his bodyguards said nothing to warn Oiteil off. They allowed Yuder topull slightly ahead to greet the smiling councilman.

“ImperialFather,” Oiteil called as he neared them. He spared no glance for the guards.For someone who’d been on the council as long as he had, Royal Guards were merelypart of the furniture. “I’m glad to see you in public.”

“Iwas supposed to com you,” Yuder remembered. “My apologies for not having doneso.”

“Nodoubt you’ve been settling in, spending time among family. How is it going?”Oiteil’s smile creased his face pleasantly. The sunlight turned his gray hairsto silver, matching Yuder’s steel-sheened mane.

“It’s…peaceful.”

“Thebane of a Nobek,” Oiteil chuckled.

Yuderjoined in. Remembering the recent loss of his companion’s clanmates, he asked“What of you? How are you these days?”

“Lonely.Desperately filling my hours with work. I guess I’m lucky that way.” Oiteilglanced at Yuder. “I can’t imagine how difficult it is for you.”

Itwas beneath Yuder to complain about his lot, but he acknowledged, “Too muchfree time is as bad as not having enough.” For a Nobek, it was worse.

“Isympathize. I also find it frustrating. I wish you weren’t prohibited frompublic service. We’re in dire need of your vast knowledge and experience.”

Yuderregarded him in surprise. “We’ve not known such peace and prosperity in myrecollection.”

“Onthe surface, yes. Bi’is is conquered. Even the Tragooms haven’t tried ourborders in a couple of years. I have concerns, however. There are tensionssimmering beneath our well-earned calm, Imperial Father. Most would prefer toignore them, but elder statesmen such as you and I have seen far too often howsmall concerns become major challenges.”

Yuderopened his mouth, then closed it. The conversation was hedging into areas hehad no business involving himself in.

Thecorner of Oiteil’s mouth twitched, as if Yuder had given him a signal. “So manymatters of potential disturbance. The majority of our people agree the legalinclusion of Earther men in clans and the other changes to what constituteslawful unions in the government’s eye are worthwhile. However, there are thosemost adamantly opposed to nontraditional joinings. A single man to a woman hasbecome any number of men legally committed to any number of women. Pairings,clans, and houses…it’s become quite the labyrinth in legal settings.

“Thenyou have the new Earth. Already there are rumblings from those called‘Earthtiques’ who show a devotion to the isolationism which made their societysuch a nightmare…not only to their own citizens, but to the galaxy at large. Iheard the governor’s shuttle was sabotaged, though it’s being kept quiet. Whatisn’t a secret is protestors showed up at the celebration welcoming the firstcolonists. Our Imperial Clan was present. Did Emperor Clajak mention it to you?No, don’t answer. As long as you don’t speak, no one can accuse you ofinvolvement.” Oiteil glanced at the Royal Guards. Yuder fancied he saw derisionin his companion’s expression.

Clajakhadn’t mentioned the protest. It had been splashed on the news vids, however,which Yuder had had limited access to on the prison colony. The demonstrationhadn’t seemed large, and it had been obvious the security detail hadexperienced little trouble managing it.

AsOiteil had mentioned, however, small disputes occasionally blew up into majorexplosions. Kalquor’s own civil war had begun when a few Royal Council membershad staged a walkout.

“Iwon’t bore you by relating the other concerns I’ve had, especially sincethere’s nothing you can do about it…at present.” Oiteil’s voice had lowered,his glance sweeping once more toward the Royal Guards following at a respectfuldistance.

Yuderturned his head minutely in Oiteil’s direction, his brows lowering. What didthe councilman mean by “at present”?

Hiscompanion caught the questioning look. “A few of us have been talking. It’s presentlya small number, you understand? We’ve spoken at length of how those we oncecounted on to keep the empire safe are no longer available. The Royal Councilhasn’t yet fully recovered from the revolt. Though it’s a blessing the traitorousgarbage took itself out, we’ve been gutted of valuable leadership. Losing yourexpertise, along with Councilman Rajhir and Haven’s governor Ospar, was acrippling blow.”

Atwinge of yearning pulled at Yuder, but he knew better than to consider it.“The lifetime ban is absolute on all accounts.”

“Kalquor’sRoyal Council cleared you of all charges. The ban makes no sense in the face ofits decision.”

“Itwas a condition of my release from the Galactic Council’s prison colony. As forour Royal Council’s pardon, you personally voted against clearing me, Oiteil.”Rightly so, Yuder believed. He’d been appalled when the council had overturnedthe High Court’s ruling convicting him.

“Ihad no choice. We were on the brink of civil war. Upholding your conviction gaveus the chance to head it off and cripple the rebellion.” Oiteil sighed. “Iregret it. It was a bitter pill to swallow.”

“Butcorrect. It had been our last chance to fend off war.”

“Thatwas then. This is now. A lifetime ban from public service is a flawed outcome.”Oiteil’s voice remained quiet, but it was firm in its conviction. “I think itcan be changed.”

“Thecondition forbidding me from public service in order to shorten my sentencecame from the Galactic Council,” Yuder repeated. He kept bitterness from histone as he added, “The Imperial Clan, Royal Council, and people of Kalquoragreed to the terms.”

“Yourredemption and return to a leadership role might also become the will of ourpeople if they recognize the need.” His tone lowered further, so Yuder had tostrain to hear him. “Would you refuse if your empire begged you to serve?”

Yuderknew he should stay silent. He should tell the councilman the conversation wasover. He’d never be restored to any role allowing him to have a say inKalquor’s governance. Honor demanded he accept the Galactic Council’s terms.

Butthe years stretching before him, an endless future of meditation and walks onthe beach…of pointless, worthless existence…how could he bear it?

Oiteilwouldn’t find the votes. Yuder was certain his dishonor, his crime, assured it.

Wasit so wrong to consider the possibilities? To allow the slender hope somedayhis people would recognize his good intentions, poorly executed as they hadbeen?

“If…ifthe people ask it, I’d have no choice but to answer their call.”

Oiteilnodded, his expression satisfied. “They will. I have no doubt of it.”

** * *

The alien force dubbed the Darks has grabbed control of keypositions on Kalquor and the Galactic Council of Planets. Other leaders arestill unaware of the threat among them. The galaxy is wide open for destruction by an unfathomable enemy.

Former emperor Nobek Yuder has suspicions, but due torestrictions placed on him after his prison sentence, he can only stand by andwatch helplessly. A renegade Royal Councilman has designs to bring him back tothe political arena, but doing so could destabilize the Kalquorian Empire,leaving it vulnerable to invasion.

Meanwhile, one man on the brink of death, the only man whocan detect the nearly invisible Darks, is pulled from a lifeless shuttle byCaptains Kila and Nako. His incredible story tells them they’re in a raceagainst time to save not only the empire but the whole galaxy…but are theyalready too late?

On Earth II, Governor Stacy Nichol’s relationship with ClanRihep continues to grow. So does the danger, as opponents make deadly movesagainst her and the orbiting Kalquorian station where the clan lives. NobekKuran is determined to keep his clanmates and would-be lifemate safe, but howcan he stop a faceless enemy?

Relationships, old and new, are strained to the breakingpoint at a time when Earthers and Kalquorians need each other more than ever.The Darks are closing in, and no one is ready to oppose them.

Releasing November 3. Pre-order now at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.